The Ultimate Clutter Control Quiz

I think I can, I know I can. That's what you should say before you even attempt to de-clutter your home. Fortunately, everyone can do it by following certain simple steps. Take this quiz and see whether you qualify as a clutterer, a hoarder or none of the above.

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Question 1 of 20

Why were Homer and Langley Collyer in the news in the 1940s?

because they were both found buried under heaps of clutter

The Collyer brothers were so entrenched in clutter that it took days till the second brother was also found buried under the piles.

because they were both outlaws

because they were both de-cluttering experts

Question 2 of 20

How does "clutter" mean different things to different people?

Some people see it as negative while others see it as positive.

There are different opinions as to the linguistic source of the word.

It's all relative.

For one person, clutter is his jumble of papers on the table. For another, it is his inability to even find the table at all. It's all relative.

Question 3 of 20

What's the fundamental basis for de-cluttering?

You have to need to do it.

You have to want to do it.

It has to come from within you. If you want to de-clutter, then you can achieve it. Otherwise, no action will help.

You have to ask someone to help you do it.

Question 4 of 20

Environment, _____ and _____ play a role in how clutter accumulates and is controlled.

socioeconomic status, profession

work style, personality

There are three factors that play a part here: environment, work style and personality.

gender, age

Question 5 of 20

If getting things under control is the first half of de-cluttering, what is the second half?

not hoarding

training your family members

maintaining it

The second half is maintaining it. Think of it like this: Getting things under control is a short-term action, whereas maintaining the mess is a long-term one.

Question 6 of 20

What is the first step in the de-cluttering process?

sorting out the kitchen area

throwing out what you don't need

identifying your goal

You start at the very beginning -- identifying your goal.

Question 7 of 20

How can a table or floor be of help to you in the de-cluttering process?

You can use them to stand on: the floor, for low places and the table, for high ones.

They provide a surface to spread out and work on.

They are both surfaces for spreading things out as you sort them.

They can't. Only the table is helpful for writing your reorganization list.

Question 8 of 20

When you sort out, you need to make three piles or categories of items. What are they?

for weekdays, for weekends, for vacations

play with, work with, live with

keep, donate, toss

1)Keep the things you want; 2)donate what is useful for others; and 3)toss what is not salvageable at all.

Question 9 of 20

When deciding what to keep, what should you ask yourself?

"Does it warrant making space to keep it?"

Ask yourself if it's worth making the space to put it in.

"What will my friends think of me if I keep it?"

"What will it cost me to replace?"

Question 10 of 20

Each item you keep must have:

a clear label on it somewhere

a logical, convenient place to store it

Whatever you choose to keep must have a logical and convenient place to store it.

intrinsic value

Question 11 of 20

A person who hoards everything and has poor time-management skills is said to be:

unlucky

unfortunate

prone to clutter

Such a person is prone to clutter. That being said, he can still learn the skills of de-cluttering if he is willing.

Question 12 of 20

What would you use garbage bags for when you organize your clutter?

trash and donations

You would use them for dual purposes: for holding trash that's going to be tossed and for holding donations that are going to be donated as soon as you can take them somewhere suitable.

trash only

donations only

Question 13 of 20

How often should you sort out the mail?

every weekend, if you have time

once a day, as you bring it into the house

You should do it daily. As you empty the mail box, sort out the mail immediately, making sure to toss the junk mail.

as often as needed so that it doesn't build up

Question 14 of 20

When is a good time to purchase storage bins and shelves?

at the start of the sorting process

in the middle of the sorting process

at the end of the sorting process

The best time is when you know what's going to go in them, and this can only be established at the end of the sorting process.

Question 15 of 20

Is there a place for hiring professional help to sort out your home?

Yes, it is actually preferable to doing it yourself.

Yes. Sometimes the professional is objective and wise enough to help you in a way that you and your family cannot.

In some instances, a professional is better equipped at helping you than your family members or you yourself.

No, it is never a good idea.

Question 16 of 20

Who can help you de-clutter your home in a professional manner?

the International Organization of Home Organizers (IOHO)

the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)

Try the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). They're highly capable.

Professional Organizers Anonymous (POA)

Question 17 of 20

How can clutter impact on your health?

It can lead to heart disease.

It can cause arthritis or rheumatism.

It can be a fire hazard or a breeding ground for rodents and bugs.

For one thing, it can be a fire hazard or even a breeding ground for unwelcome pests. For another, it can generate dust, which triggers allergies.

Question 18 of 20

What are common psychological factors that lead to cluttering?

hallucinations or delusions

feelings of low self-esteem or fear of failure

Feelings of low self-esteem and fear of failure are both common factors. Another one is attention deficit disorder (ADD).

feelings of guilt or post-traumatic stress syndrome

Question 19 of 20

Which of these is incapable of deciding what to keep and what to throw away?

the hoarder and the clutterer

the clutterer

the hoarder

The hoarder can't decide. Thankfully, the clutterer can, although he or she may need a certain push to do so.

Question 20 of 20

How much debris and waste was recovered from the Collyer house in the 1940s?

a mere 100 pounds (45 kilos)

an unbelievable 1,000 pounds (454 kilos)

a whopping 100 tons

A whopping 100 tons of debris and waste was found there. No wonder the brothers got buried by it!